An Argument for the use of Aristotelian Method in Bioethics
Medicine, Health Care and Philosophy 9 (1):69-79 (2005)
Abstract
The main claim of this paper is that the method outlined and used in Aristotle’s Ethics is an appropriate and credible one to use in bioethics. Here “appropriate” means that the method is capable of establishing claims and developing concepts in bioethics and “credible” that the method has some plausibility, it is not open to obvious and immediate objection. It begins by suggesting why this claim matters and then gives a brief outline of Aristotle’s method. The main argument is made in three stages. First, it is argued that Aristotelian method is credible because it compares favourably with alternatives. In this section it is shown that Aristotelian method is not vulnerable to criticisms that are made both of methods that give a primary place to moral theory (such as utilitarianism) and those that eschew moral theory (such as casuistry and social science approaches). As such, it compares favourably with these other approaches that are vulnerable to at least some of these criticisms. Second, the appropriateness of Aristotelian method is indicated through outlining how it would deal with a particular case. Finally, it is argued that the success of Aristotle’s philosophy is suggestive of both the credibility and appropriateness of his methodAuthor's Profile
Reprint years
2006
DOI
10.1007/s11019-005-7225-x
My notes
Similar books and articles
The Aristotelian Method and Aristotelian Metaphysics.Tuomas E. Tahko - 2008 - In Patricia Hanna (ed.), An Anthology of Philosophical Studies. ATINER.
Casuistry and principlism: The convergence of method in biomedical ethics. [REVIEW]Mark Kuczewski - 1998 - Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 19 (6):509-524.
The role of emotions in moral case deliberation: Theory, practice, and methodology.Bert Molewijk, Dick Kleinlugtenbelt & Guy Widdershoven - 2011 - Bioethics 25 (7):383-393.
The question of method in ethics consultation.George J. Agich - 2001 - American Journal of Bioethics 1 (4):31 – 41.
Method and methodology in medical ethics: Inaugurating another new section.Edmund L. Erde - 1995 - Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 16 (3).
Method in bioethics: A troubled assessment.Ronald M. Green - 1990 - Journal of Medicine and Philosophy 15 (2):179-197.
Toward a systematic philosophy of medicine.Gerlof Verwey - 1987 - Theoretical Medicine and Bioethics 2 (2).
A method of Reflexive Balancing in a Pragmatic, Interdisciplinary and Reflexive Bioethics.Jonathan Ives - 2014 - Bioethics 28 (6):302-312.
Casuistry and the Business Case Method.Martin Calkins - 2001 - Business Ethics Quarterly 11 (2):237-259.
Abortion: Why Bioethics Can Have No Answer – A Personal Perspective.Geoffrey Hunt - 1999 - Nursing Ethics 6 (1):47-57.
Cartesian Method and the Aristotelian-Scholastic Method.D. Anthony Larivière - 2009 - British Journal for the History of Philosophy 17 (3):463-486.
Method in catholic bioethics.Kevin P. Quinn - 2000 - Kennedy Institute of Ethics Journal 10 (4):353-363.
Natural Law, Skepticism, and Methods of Ethics.J. B. Schneewind - 1991 - Journal of the History of Ideas 52 (2):289-308.
Analytics
Added to PP
2013-12-01
Downloads
231 (#54,247)
6 months
1 (#449,844)
2013-12-01
Downloads
231 (#54,247)
6 months
1 (#449,844)
Historical graph of downloads
Author's Profile
Citations of this work
Are Military and Medical Ethics Necessarily Incompatible? A Canadian Case Study.Christiane Rochon & Bryn Williams-Jones - 2016 - Journal of Law, Medicine and Ethics 44 (4):639-651.